How does AutomistTM work?

In a fire, mist droplet turn into steam, stealing heat from the fire.  This expansion of the water also limits the entry of oxygen into the fire, suffocating the burning fuel. Automist is not directional, it does not target a specific fire location, and instead fills the volume with mist.  The flame plume acts like an air pump and draws water mist particles towards it.

Automist spraying mist profile


Automist uses watermist technology to suppress fires. 

In one of the most comprehensive test suite ever run on a mist product at the Building Research Establishment, Plumis demonstrated how Automist suppressed and controlled fire improving survivability and reducing damage in a number of different scenarios.  These are detailed on Automist's Effectiveness.

Automist extinguishing fire

Automist spray in a kitchen fire


What happens in an emergency?

In the event of an uncontrolled fire, a wireless heat detector in the centre of the room triggers an under-sink pump. Heat detection is the most reliable form of fire detection and the trigger is set at the industry-standard. The pump then drives mains water through the unique nozzle unit which quickly fills the volume, be it a kitchen, open plan flat, laundry room or even a narrowboat galley, with 30% water creating an inert atmosphere and suppressing the blaze. Automist repositions the sprinkler under the kitchen tap, where installation is simple and quick.

The system can also be triggered by a manual call point or fire panel.

System Diagram:

Automist System Diagram

James Dyson Award 2009


Automist, like traditional sprinklers, suppress and control fire to prevent it spreading. In doing so it reduces the dangerous levels of toxic gas and temperatures. 

Automist uses much less water than a traditional sprinkler system by utilising watermist technology.


Automist is triggered by an industry standard 57ºC heat alarm already used to detect fires in kitchens. Building Control requires the use of fire alarms in domestic premises (BS5839-6:2004).

Automist can also be connected to a conventional detection and alarm system.  The control unit has a 7-30V DC input line so it can be controlled by a fire alarm panel.


Key components:

Automist Emitter - uses watermist nozzles from the commercial fire fighting industry. Silicon protective caps protect the nozzles from limescale, dirt or grease.

High Pressure Pump - water is driven by a positive displacement three-piston pump, powered by a 1.8 kW AC induction motor to deliver 5.4 lpm at 80bar.

Control unit -
installed in any convenient location: under the sink, on the cupboard door, or above the worktop.  The unit monitors the critical parameters to ensure Automist will work correctly.